Retort with loading window
AssigneeRolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
InventorsKevin Lukhard, Timothy Western, Thomas Tran
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In some examples, a multilevel retort assembly. The assembly includes a base defining a base perimeter; and a plurality of shells. Each shell has a diffuser plate support and a perimeter with a substantially similar shape as the base perimeter. The plurality of shells are stacked on each other, mechanically supported by the base, and surround an inner retort volume. The at least one shell of the plurality of shells defines a removable window. The assembly also includes a plurality of diffuser plates, each diffuser plate supported by a corresponding diffuser plate support of the plurality of diffuser plate supports.
Claims19
A multilevel retort assembly comprising:
- a base defining a base perimeter;
- a plurality of shells, each shell having a diffuser plate support and an outer shell perimeter with a substantially similar shape as the base perimeter, wherein the plurality of shells are stacked on each other, mechanically supported by the base, and surround an inner retort volume, and wherein at least one shell of the plurality of shells defines a removable window, wherein the removable window is a portion of the outer shell for accommodating loading one or more parts from the side of the multilevel retort;
- and
- a plurality of diffuser plates, each diffuser plate defining a plurality of apertures and each diffuser plate supported by a corresponding diffuser plate support of the plurality of diffuser plate supports.
A method of processing parts in a furnace comprising:
- removing a removable window from at least one shell of a multilevel retort assembly, wherein the multilevel retort assembly comprises a base defining a base perimeter, a plurality of shells, each shell having a diffuser plate support and an outer shell perimeter with a substantially similar shape as the base perimeter, wherein the plurality of shells are stacked on each other, mechanically supported by the base, and surround an inner retort volume, and wherein at least one shell of the plurality of shells defines a removable window, wherein the removable window is a portion of the outer shell for accommodating loading one or more parts from the side of the multilevel retort;
- loading one or more parts into the inner retort volume of the multilevel retort assembly through the removable window such that the one or more parts are supported by one or more plate of a plurality of diffuser plates, wherein each diffuser plate defines a plurality of apertures and each diffuser plate is supported by a corresponding diffuser plate support;
- and
- securing the removable window of the multilevel retort assembly to the at least one shell of the plurality of shells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.